Signature Drink: Sweetwater’s Basil Smash

Author: MAX VEENHUYZEN
Photography: Jody D'Arcy

12:00AM, Feb 13, 2017

A simple twist on a gin classic.

Want to expand your gin-drinking horizons over summer?
Sweetwater's Basil Smash takes the classic Gin Sour and freshens it
up with the addition of, yes, fresh basil. "The sweetness comes
from the basil rather than the sugar and it merges everything
together," says Sweetwater bar manager Matteo Scarano. The drink
was originally created by Jörg Meyer at Le Lion in Hamburg, but has
found plenty of friends Down Under. "It's a really well-balanced
drink that's perfect for summer." Sweetwater's version is made with
common basil, but other herbs - cinnamon basil and pineapple sage
in particular - can also be used to winning effect.

Shake 45ml The West Winds The Sabre gin, 30ml lemon juice,
20ml sugar syrup and five basil leaves with ice and double-strain
into a rocks glass or tumbler filled with crushed ice. Garnish with
basil and serve.